Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered the opening speech of China’s 19th Communist Party Congress (CPC), vowing to continue to fight corruption and satisfy the people’s desire for “a better life.”

Corruption is the biggest threat facing China’s Communist Party (CCP), Xi said on Wednesday, addressing more than 2,300 delegates gathered in Beijing’s vast Great Hall of the People.

He praised the party’s successes in its efforts to serve the nation.

Xi used a Chinese phrase roughly translated as “a better life” or “a happy life” repeatedly during his 3.5-hour speech as the goal of the governing body.

He cited the relentless anti-graft campaign launched by his administration as a strong force helping the nation keep its desired formation in the execution of plans for “a better life.”

“The fight against corruption has formed an overwhelming posture and strengthened in development,” he said, adding that the fight will “always be on the road.”

Xi began the fight against institutionalized graft after assuming power five years ago.

More than a million officials have been changed and dozens of former senior officials jailed in the campaign against deep-rooted corruption.

‘China will not close doors to world’

Xi pledged to build a “modern socialist country” that will not copy the political systems of others and will remain open to the world.

“Openness brings progress for ourselves, seclusion leaves one behind. China will not close its doors to the world, we will only become more and more open,” Xi said.

Xi vowed to “protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors” and said “all businesses registered in China will be treated equally.”

A general view shows the opening session of the 19th Communist Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 18, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

The week-long national congress, which is the most important political event in the country, is held once every five years.

It will culminate with the selection of a new Politburo Standing Committee that will rule China’s 1.4 billion people for the next five years.